>> WINNER OF THE SAINSBURYS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARDS 2021>> WINNER OF THE CRIMEFEST AWARD FOR
BEST CRIME NOVEL FOR CHILDREN 2021>> A twist-laden thriller-like tale Observer >> Simply
genius. BBC Wildlife From the internationally bestselling author of Beetle Boy and the
Adventures on Trains series comes the first book in The Twitchers a thrilling mystery
adventure series celebrating friendship bravery and the incredible world of birds starring a
birdwatching detective called Twitch!Can a birdwatcher outwit an escaped convict?Twitch has
three pet chickens four pigeons swallows nesting in his bedroom and a passion for
birdwatching. On the first day of the summer holidays he arrives at his secret hide to find
police everywhere: a convicted robber has broken out of prison and is hiding in Aves Wood. Can
Twitch use his talents for birdwatching to hunt for the dangerous prisoner and find the missing
loot?Twitch is a thrilling summer mystery adventure perfect for readers 9+ and for fans of
Robin Stevens Lauren St John and Jenny Pearson. It can be enjoyed as a stand-alone adventure
or read as part of The Twitchers series. Praise for Twitch:“Leonard knows her audience and
the jeopardy comes in flocks ... Find your nest curl up and enjoy.� The Times Children's
Book of the WeekA twist-laden thriller-like tale of a bird-mad boy some bullies and an
escaped convict hiding in the nearby woods. ObserverA twisty crime drama as well as a
persuasive story about friendship and nature. The Sunday TimesTwitch is a good old-fashioned
adventure story that feels like a modern-day Secret Seven. BBC Wildlife Magazine[A] pacy
mystery adventure featuring a birdwatching detective hot on the heels of a dangerous escaped
prisoner. iNewspaper“Leonard has crafted an intelligent mystery from unlikely material with
bonus bird facts.� Irish Times“A winged masterpiece.� Maz Evans“Enthralling from
beginning to end it really touched my young bird-loving heart! Just wonderful!� Dara
McAnulty“Birds mystery and fowl play! What more could you want?� Gill Lewis“Glorious!
Full of excitement and wonder!� Sophie Anderson“A brave and thrilling new adventure from
one of my favourite writers. I honestly didn‿t put the book down until the very last
exciting page-turn and I‿m twitching for the next adventure!� Jasbinder Bilan“Twitch is
an absolute triumph. The perfect blend of mystery and adventure a winning hero with an eye for
ornithological facts and a heart as big as the countryside plus a cracking whipsmart plot I
think this is M. G. Leonard's best book yet.� Christopher Edge“Cracking characters beyond
pacy plotting and an ending that is almost Bugsy Malone-esque!� Phil Earle“Twitch is a
compelling read ‿ an adventure mystery with birds ‿ what more could any reader want?!�
Stephen Moss“Adventure friendship and the pure unassuming beauty of nature ‿ a book that
could have been a collaboration between David Attenborough and Roald Dahl.� Dr Jess
French“A superb adventure of friendship bravery and the wonderful world of birds with a
strong but non-preachy theme of the benefits of connection with the natural world.� The
Bookseller“One of those really really good books ‿ Recommended for readers around 8 to 12
years old and grown-ups like me who still enjoy the delight of a great adventure story!� The
Bookbag
